Processes, apparatuses, and systems for capturing pigging and blowdown emissions in natural gas pipelines

Abstract

Disclosed are processes, apparatuses, and systems in natural gas pipelines to significantly reduce pigging and blowdown emissions. In an example, a process involves filtering and/or separating pigging or blowdown emissions. The filtered and/or separated pigging/blowdown products can then be stored in a storage, sent back into the natural gas pipeline at a downstream location, or sent to an adjacent pipeline.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for capturing pigging emissions in a natural gas pipeline, the process comprising:
 processing a product of a pigging system, wherein the product comprises a fluid removed from the natural gas pipeline in a pigging operation; 
 sending the processed product a compressor; 
 compressing the processed product; and 
 inserting the compressed product into the natural gas pipeline to recombine the compressed product with a gas stream flowing through the natural gas pipeline. 
 
     
     
       2. The process of  claim 1 , wherein processing the product comprises separating the product. 
     
     
       3. The process of  claim 1  wherein processing the product comprises filtering the product. 
     
     
       4. The process of  claim 1 , wherein processing the product comprises filtering and separating the product. 
     
     
       5. The process of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the compressed product into the natural gas pipeline is at a location downstream of the pigging system. 
     
     
       6. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the processed product comprises a gas, wherein compressing the processed product comprises compressing the gas, and wherein processing the product comprises separating or filtering liquids or solids from the gas. 
     
     
       7. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor is a natural gas booster, and wherein compressing the processed product is conducted by the natural gas booster. 
     
     
       8. The process of  claim 7 , wherein the natural gas booster is an in-line compressor configured to receive and compress the gas stream at a location downstream of the pigging system. 
     
     
       9. The process of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the processed product comprises a liquid, and wherein processing the product comprises separating or filtering the liquid from gases or solids in the product.